Motor Reversal on Ray5 10W and Ray5 5W

During laser engraving, the correct movement direction of the X-axis and Y-axis is essential for accurate positioning and proper operation. If a motor moves in the opposite direction, it may cause incorrect engraving positions or failed jobs.

For the LONGER Ray5 10W and Ray5 5W laser engravers, motor direction can be corrected through software settings, firmware adjustments, or hardware wiring changes. This guide explains three methods to fix reversed motor movement, starting with the simplest solution.

Why Does Motor Direction Reverse?

The motor direction is controlled by two main factors:

• Motor wiring sequence: Determines the default rotation direction of the motor.
• Software or firmware control signals: Tell the motor driver which direction to move.

A reversed motor occurs when these two settings do not match correctly. Adjusting either the control settings or wiring can restore the correct movement direction.

Method 1: Adjust Motor Direction in Software

This is the easiest and safest method. In most cases, you can fix the issue directly through your control software. Using software such as LightBurn:

1. Open Device Settings or Machine Settings.
2. Find the axis direction settings.
3. Look for options such as:
   • Invert X Axis
   • Invert Y Axis
   • Reverse Direction
4. Enable or disable the setting for the axis moving in the wrong direction.
5. Save the changes.
6. Use the jog controls to test the movement.

If the axis moves correctly after adjustment, no further changes are needed.

Method 2: Change Firmware Direction Settings

If software settings do not solve the problem, you can adjust the firmware parameters. Using G-code commands through software such as LightBurn or LaserGRBL:

1. Connect the machine to your computer
2. Open the Console / Terminal window
3. Use the following GRBL parameter: $3 – Direction invert setting

How it works:

• Each axis direction is controlled by a binary value
• Setting the parameter to true inverts direction

Examples:

• Reverse X-axis → set X direction invert to true
• Reverse Y-axis → set Y direction invert to true

⚠️ Tip: If the motor is reversed, simply toggle the setting (true/false) until the direction is correct.

4. Save the changes
5. Test using jog controls

Method 3: Hardware Adjustment (Physical Solution)

If software and firmware adjustments do not fix the issue, the motor wiring can be changed physically.

1. Power off the machine completely
2. Locate the motor cable of the reversed axis
3. Swap any one pair of wires:
   • A+ ↔ A−
   • or B+ ↔ B−

This will physically reverse the motor rotation direction.

4. Reconnect and power on the machine
5. Test the axis movement

Important Notes

• Always try software settings first before modifying hardware
• Ensure the machine is powered off before any wiring changes
• Avoid changing both software and hardware simultaneously—adjust one at a time

Conclusion

Motor direction reversal on the LONGER Ray5 10W and Ray5 5W laser engravers is a common issue that can usually be fixed with simple adjustments. Software settings are the quickest solution, while firmware and wiring changes provide additional options when needed.

By following the correct troubleshooting steps, you can restore normal X-axis and Y-axis movement and maintain accurate laser engraving performance.